Wow. This year has been one for the record books. Many good things happened in our lives, no doubt, but our beloved world struggles with a global sickness. And it’s not just the virus. There’s an ongoing contagion of fear, anxiety, economic hardship, spiritual malaise, and social and civil unrest.
As we enter Advent, what message does the Christ Child offer us?
Christmas is God’s way of telling us to embrace the world, in all of its messiness, just as Jesus did when He graciously took on our flesh in His mission of compassion, accompaniment, and renewal. “My soul magnifies the Lord,” Mary sings at the beginning of the Christmas story, “and my spirit rejoices in God my savior … He has exalted the lowly and filled the hungry with good things, He has come to the help of Israel His servant, mindful of His mercy and the promise He made to our ancestors.” Luke 1: 46, 52-54.
With Mary, we are called to Magnify the Lord, to lift up and embrace the lowly ones, our brothers and sisters in need, and to be the bearers of peace to those around us. We can’t fix all the world’s problems, but we can be Christ-bearers, as Mary was, each in our own small way. This is the answer our troubled world needs.
At Catholic Charities, we believe in the power and wonder of this Christmas embrace. Through your support in 2020, your embrace brought counseling services to 252 people suffering from pandemic isolation, depression, and anxiety. When no one else was there, 108 newcomers found critically needed immigration representation and support. As our economy tottered and housing and employment evaporated, 100 families experienced the ministry and caring support of our skilled social workers. More than 1,700 persons received rapid response assistance services when it mattered most; over 400 people received financial wellness and parenting education instruction that equipped them to manage and thrive; and 615 families received winter gift and clothing resources.
“You have been with me since day one and have offered more support than literally anywhere else. You have changed our lives for the better. What you do is so amazing for so many women and families. I felt hope for the first time in so long. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you and seriously thank you for guiding us in the right direction.”
-- Message of thanks from a fellow Idahoan
Doug Alles,
Executive Director
Never, in my 25 years of service with Catholic Charities, has our work been more challenging, more needed, and more important. Can you help us again this year? Now is the time to lift up the “lowly” ones, Idaho families who are struggling but still seeking opportunities for a brighter future. With the Christ Child, let us bring them a little light and the wonder of Christmas hope.
Please make your gift today. No matter how large or small, your contribution will change lives. And do pray for us and those we serve, that we may continue to be a ministry of God’s holy love. My prayer is for each of you and your loved ones this Advent and Christmas.
Salvador Carranza, Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Boise
"I think that one of the ways Catholic Charities is really sharing the journey with people is the willingness to walk into the messiness of their lives. To be able to accompany them wherever they're at.
To not necessarily say, you come to us but we will go to you ... to address their needs based on their individuality ... to give each person the dignity of treating them as individuals rather than as a number or as a case file ... to get to know these people and to care for them on many levels, for them to be there in whatever capacity these people need ... that takes a lot of work, that takes a lot of energy, but the fruits that come of that ... as people find a new hope by these people partnering with them, walking with them and sharing their journey with them."
"The scripture is quite clear how we are supposed to treat the foreigners within our gates. When God has put them in the same place as orphans and widows, we realize it has a high priority to God. And the vast majority of our labor force is foreign born (85-90%). Historically that has been Hispanic labor ... you have to value the as individuals, you have to understand them, and you have to give them the opportunity to understand you. If we as churches are going to have influence on those individuals that are coming, it has to be by reaching out and giving them a Christ-like hug and assisting them in going forward.
If you look at Catholic Charities as a whole, it's fulfilling scripture, but it's also giving us -- those in a pew -- a chance to live up to what we're supposed to live up to. Whether we are doing it by supporting them financially or whether we're doing it by immersing ourselves and getting involved ."
Bob Naerebout, Idaho Dairymen's Association, Governmental Affairs Director
Very Reverend Camilo Garcia Delgado, Pastor, Corpus Christi Parish
"So we are workers, in His vineyard. And any work that you do at Idaho Catholic Charities has an effect in the lives of people. Each person is a gift from God, as Pope Francis says quite often, my neighbor is a gift from God to me.
Pope Francis in different ways, shows us the way, how to show solidarity with one another, to have tolerance, but always to see the face of Christ. So for those who help Idaho Catholic Charities, you are doing the work of God ."
Ways to Donate:
Send a check made payable to: Catholic Charities of Idaho P. O. Box 190123 Boise, ID 83719
Make Catholic Charities of Idaho your designated charity when shopping with:
Through your Employer: Many local employers will match your donation funds. Please check with your HR department for details.
You may make a one-time contribution to help Catholic Charities of Idaho serve our community, or you may provide consistent, dependable support to CCI and those we serve by giving a monthly gift through an Automatic Deduction from your credit card. You may adjust your giving level or cancel your commitment at any time.